Business Transformation
Through E-Commerce

Bob Fraser

Thursday, April 22, 1999
2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Abstract

E-commerce is exceeding market forecast
expectations in business-to-business and business-to-consumer
transactions. Businesses are utilizing E-commerce to reach global
markets, to reduce costs, and to improve customer services. Transforming
the traditional business models, E-commerce is changing everything from supply
chain management to customer relationships.

Several years ago, it was sufficient for
most businesses to have their product brochures available on an
Internet web site. Now many web sites have facilities for customers to
purchase goods using secure credit card transactions. Many businesses
are integrating their E-commerce applications with existing systems for inventory,
fulfillment and procurement.

IBM, a leader in E-commerce, has helped
many businesses such as Macy's, L.L.Bean, and Victoria's Secret produce
successful E-commerce web sites. IBM's Net Commerce software has
powered popular Super Bowl and Wimbledon web sites, providing valuable
information on performance and scalability. This talk discusses the
components of an E-commerce system, critical factors for success, and
future directions.

Bob Fraser

Bob Fraser is the Information
Development Manager for IBM's Net.Commerce product. He has worked with
IBM for 15 years and is actively involved in IBM's own E-Business
transformation. He was involved in the creation of IBM's software web site
and has done extensive research in advanced information delivery
systems. He has managed Information Development for both VisualAge for
Java and VisualAge for C++ products.

IBM Toronto Laboratory

IBM Toronto Laboratory is part of IBM's
Software Division.

Seminar Sponsor

This seminar is sponsored by the
infraNET Project, University of Waterloo. We gratefully acknowledge the
assistance of the Institute for Computer Research.